Let There Be Links
Returning to a Review; Not a Spoiler Warning: After reading my review of The Dragon Slayer’s Handbook, author Merrie Haskell blogged about why she chose to write a heroine with a clubfoot, and why Tilda does not get magically healed at the end of the book.
The World SF Travel Fund: This project was started in 2011 with the goal of helping one or two international persons to get to a major SF/F event. As of this morning, they’ve met their $3000 goal, which funds the project for the next two years. But there’s 10 days left, and wouldn’t it be awesome to see it hit at least $4500 and provide them with a bonus year? The rewards are great, too. Donate $10, and you’ll get the e-books of the Apex Book of World SF, volumes 1 and 2.
Con or Bust Auction Begins Saturday, February 9: “Con or Bust helps people of color/non-white people attend SFF conventions.” You can read more about the founding and history of the project on their About us page. Items up for auction includes books, critiques, Green Tea Yoda Oreo cookies, and much more.
Weregeek, a web comic, talked about the Hawkeye Initiative yesterday and suggested that someone should do something similar for fantasy RPG art. Hm…
What do you think of John Scalzi’s new tattoo? Okay, so maybe I Photoshopped it. For background and better picture of Gamma Rabbit, see John’s post here. I’m impressed and amazed at how effectively he’s taken a rather irksome annoyance and transformed it into a fundraiser which has drawn international attention and brought in more than $50,000 in pledges for causes such as RAINN, NAACP, Emily’s List, and Human Rights Campaign. Think we can convince him to get the tattoo for real if the pledges hit $100K?
Some friends of mine are Kickstarting Glitter & Madness: The Speculative Nightclub Anthology, a collection to be filled with “Roller Derby, nightclubs, glam aliens, (literal) party monsters, drugs, sex, glitter, debauchery” and more. If they meet their fundraising goal, you’ll get stories from Amal El-Mohtar, Diana Rowland, Sofia Samatar, Tim Pratt, and many more. Including a 16,000 word InCryptid novella from Seanan McGuire!
Finally, Darth Maul would like you to know that he is awesome. (I’ve had this stuck in my head ever since we watched the whole LEGO Star Wars “Empire Strikes Out” show over the weekend.)
Andrew Jack
February 7, 2013 @ 2:14 pm
I’d like to propose the Gimli Initiative for fantasy covers. All scantily armored, improbably posed women are replaced by Gimli the dwarf, who I have it on good authority is very explosive over short distances.
Jim C. Hines
February 7, 2013 @ 2:18 pm
I WOULD SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE!
Liz
February 7, 2013 @ 3:21 pm
You do realize that RSHD will see this and think Scalzi really DID have the tattoo done — and will boast about it on his blog. And then when someone points out that this was a joke, he will first claim that he knew that, and then that Scalzi really did get the tattoo but wasn’t admitting it. Anyone want to take bets? (I’m poor, so I can’t bet much. Catch me at the right moment though (he’s just chewed/eaten something, puked or pooped somewhere, etc.)and my 8 month old Collie puppy could be on the table. NO, NOT REALLY.
Jo
February 7, 2013 @ 4:21 pm
Now, not only do I have the awesomeness Darth Maul stuck in my head …. but that cover of Mary’s Angels will now be firmly engraved upon my brain.
CAW
February 8, 2013 @ 7:22 pm
I had the exact same thought and am making sketches…where to put them, though?
Rob Meyer
February 10, 2013 @ 2:20 am
John’s new tatoo? I don’t cotton to it much, but it doesn’t make me hopping mad either. I am sure there is quite a tale to it, hareraising to be sure. I would guess it cost him a few bucks, but I don’t have that kind of doe. I would be willing to bet he got it in El Conejo, CA. But that’s just what I ‘ear.